Modeling Jewish Environmental Ethics and Training Future Leaders cont.

Kfar ADAMAH, the Isabella Freedman Jewish Retreat Center's new Teen Village, is home to Project ADAMAH. Project ADAMAH is a one to two week residential summer program for Jewish teens that integrates organic agriculture, community building, leadership training, and outdoor Jewish communal living. As with the fellowship program, participants spend their days working on the organic farm, participating in outdoor adventure activities, and partaking in a variety of projects that foster creative self expression.

Recognizing that environmental stewardship is a core Jewish value, Isabella Freedman is committed to operating its facility in ways that minimize its impact on the natural environment.

Conserve Energy and Water by:

• Upgrading all lighting throughout the facility to be as efficient as possible. From 2002-2003, electricity consumption fell by 20 percent despite growth in the facilities.
• Purchasing energy and water efficient models when replacing lights, toilets, and washing machines.
• Installing low-flow eco-sprayers in the kitchen.
• Turning off heat and air conditioning when buildings are vacant.
• Installing only low-e double pane windows when replacing windows.
• Installing motion sensors and timers on lights throughout the facility (turned off on Shabbat).
• Establishing a policy to change the sheets and towels every third day, except in the cases of a shorter retreat or a customer request.
• Washing laundry with phosphate-free detergents.
• Installing programmable thermostats in all new buildings and when replacing old thermostats.
• Installing new, more efficient furnaces with AFUE ratings of 90 or higher. Learn more about efficient furnaces.
• Harvesting rainwater for landscape irrigation.
• Purchasing new air conditioning units rated at least SEER 14.